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| Telephone Counseling |
While face-to-face counseling may be considered the time-tested, ideal way to engage in therapy, it is not the only way. The
fact is, times have changed. People are busier, gas prices are soaring, and convenience has become a way of life. For some
people, weekly, face-to-face sessions are difficult, if not impossible to coordinate. For others, by the time they pay for a
babysitter and gas, their session costs more than they can afford. Telephone sessions make counseling accessible for
people who otherwise would not, or could not attend face-to-face sessions.
fact is, times have changed. People are busier, gas prices are soaring, and convenience has become a way of life. For some
people, weekly, face-to-face sessions are difficult, if not impossible to coordinate. For others, by the time they pay for a
babysitter and gas, their session costs more than they can afford. Telephone sessions make counseling accessible for
people who otherwise would not, or could not attend face-to-face sessions.
Telephone counseling can save you time. By the time you figure in getting ready, driving to and from the session,
plus the session itself, you may have lost over two hours for a 50 minute session. If you figure in Minnesota’s
unpredictable weather, you maybe out even more time. Being able to pick up the phone, “attend” a 50 minute
session and hang up is all the time you need.
Telephone counseling can save you money. If you don’t need to drive to an office that may or may not be close to
home, you save gas and ultimately the money it costs to fill your tank. If you normally need a babysitter, you simply
schedule a telephone session when your children are at school, sleeping, or otherwise safely occupied.
Telephone counseling is there when you need it. Because there are often long waits for an in-office session, a
telephone session can be scheduled sooner. You may even be able to schedule a telephone session the same day.
Telephone counseling can be a good solution for geographic dilemmas. If you and/or your spouse travel frequently
or have opposite schedules, you may find it difficult to keep up with regular sessions. Or, perhaps you and your
partner or a family member live in different parts of the state and find that coordinating trips to an in-office session
difficult. Telephone counseling relieves this dilemma. All you need is an agreed upon time and the ability to make a
three-way call to make the session work.
Telephone counseling can be done in your PJs. You don’t need to get dressed up, or get dressed at all. You’ll be in
the comfort of your own home looking how ever you’re most comfortable.
Telephone counseling is private. You never have to worry about running onto your next door neighbor or a family
member as you enter or leave your therapist’s office.
Telephone counseling can help some people feel more comfortable. Some, though not all, people open up faster
and more deeply when they are not feeling “on stage.” People who feel embarrassed to talk about certain issues
face-to-face may find telephone counseling a good alternative.
Telephone counseling can work well for periodic check ins. Perhaps you’ve already put time into in-office sessions
and are doing well, but have a few questions or would like to run a few things past your therapist. A phone session,
when things come up, can help keep you on track.
Telephone counseling does not allow for the reading of body language. People use body language all the time to
gather information about what others are feeling or what they might mean when they say something. Therapists do
the same. They watch the body language of clients to help guide or to open lines of inquiry. Listening skills and
inquiry become very important when the visual cues are not there. You may notice more interruptions or awkward
pauses until you get used to the rhythm of phone therapy.
Telephone counseling is not a good alternative for everyone. Telephone counseling is not appropriate for people
who are experiencing serious persistent mental illness, suicidal or homicidal thoughts or feelings, or have complex
issues better served in an in-office setting. An initial evaluation will be conducted to determine if telephone
counseling is appropriate in each case.
plus the session itself, you may have lost over two hours for a 50 minute session. If you figure in Minnesota’s
unpredictable weather, you maybe out even more time. Being able to pick up the phone, “attend” a 50 minute
session and hang up is all the time you need.
Telephone counseling can save you money. If you don’t need to drive to an office that may or may not be close to
home, you save gas and ultimately the money it costs to fill your tank. If you normally need a babysitter, you simply
schedule a telephone session when your children are at school, sleeping, or otherwise safely occupied.
Telephone counseling is there when you need it. Because there are often long waits for an in-office session, a
telephone session can be scheduled sooner. You may even be able to schedule a telephone session the same day.
Telephone counseling can be a good solution for geographic dilemmas. If you and/or your spouse travel frequently
or have opposite schedules, you may find it difficult to keep up with regular sessions. Or, perhaps you and your
partner or a family member live in different parts of the state and find that coordinating trips to an in-office session
difficult. Telephone counseling relieves this dilemma. All you need is an agreed upon time and the ability to make a
three-way call to make the session work.
Telephone counseling can be done in your PJs. You don’t need to get dressed up, or get dressed at all. You’ll be in
the comfort of your own home looking how ever you’re most comfortable.
Telephone counseling is private. You never have to worry about running onto your next door neighbor or a family
member as you enter or leave your therapist’s office.
Telephone counseling can help some people feel more comfortable. Some, though not all, people open up faster
and more deeply when they are not feeling “on stage.” People who feel embarrassed to talk about certain issues
face-to-face may find telephone counseling a good alternative.
Telephone counseling can work well for periodic check ins. Perhaps you’ve already put time into in-office sessions
and are doing well, but have a few questions or would like to run a few things past your therapist. A phone session,
when things come up, can help keep you on track.
Telephone counseling does not allow for the reading of body language. People use body language all the time to
gather information about what others are feeling or what they might mean when they say something. Therapists do
the same. They watch the body language of clients to help guide or to open lines of inquiry. Listening skills and
inquiry become very important when the visual cues are not there. You may notice more interruptions or awkward
pauses until you get used to the rhythm of phone therapy.
Telephone counseling is not a good alternative for everyone. Telephone counseling is not appropriate for people
who are experiencing serious persistent mental illness, suicidal or homicidal thoughts or feelings, or have complex
issues better served in an in-office setting. An initial evaluation will be conducted to determine if telephone
counseling is appropriate in each case.
There are several advantages to telephone counseling:
Telephone counseling does have some drawbacks:
Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of
the information in this site is intended to be taken as advice therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a
therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Kari L.M. Silverberg, MA, LAMFT and Theraspire Counseling Services, PLLC assumes no liability for the
content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the
provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
the information in this site is intended to be taken as advice therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a
therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Kari L.M. Silverberg, MA, LAMFT and Theraspire Counseling Services, PLLC assumes no liability for the
content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the
provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.